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Attached is a HD channel comparison between the two satellite providers, DirecTV and DISH Network. Presented in PDF form, channels available on either DirecTV or DISH are listed along with the usual package needed to see that channel and channel number.

Note - for the most part only channels that are carried in HD on DirecTV or DISH are included. Channels that are not carried in HD by either satellite carrier are generally not included.

The file attached to this initial post will be updated as the channel lineups change. A post will be made in the thread at the time of the change to let people know what changed.

As with previous threads, this is NOT a thread to attack either provider or other members. This is NOT a thread for comparing DirecTV and DISH Network in other ways than their HD lineup. A reminder - There are threads in each of the provider forums here at DBSTalk for channels one might desire or anticipate their carrier adding.

The intent of this thread is to provide a simple reference for people wondering what HD each satellite carrier carries. Enjoy!

Thanks so much for creating this list. It's really helpful to see how it compares. Is there a way to get it in spreadsheet form? And do you know of a forum that does channel comparisons for comcast/time warner?

AVSForum has a chart that has channels on cable and channels no one carries. It was the inspiration for this chart ... with this chart listing (for the most part) only channels that either DISH or DirecTV carries. Keeping it to two providers keeps it simple. (It is enough of a challenge to keep up with two providers let alone a half dozen, some with regional differences in channel offerings.)

WeatherNation, is that the channel that Dish briefly added when it was having that short dispute with the Weather Channel?

"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at or repair." - Douglas Adams

"Who would rule a nation when he could have easier work, such as carrying water uphill in a sieve?" - Robert Jordan

Yes. It was called "The Weather Cast" at the time ... but it is the same production company.

Well good for DirecTv customers then. They're getting a channel that actually will show them what the weather is nationwide. With the "Weather Channel" you're just as likely to get a show of some sort. One of the reasons I stopped relying on tv for weather and just go to the internet.

damondlt likes this

"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at or repair." - Douglas Adams

"Who would rule a nation when he could have easier work, such as carrying water uphill in a sieve?" - Robert Jordan

Sundance is listed with Showtime but it isn't part of Showtime package on Dish anymore. Seems to apply to Direct, too.

DirecTV offers Sundance in Ultimate base package and higher, and also (albeit unadvertised) they authorize it for you with any premium channel subscription (HBO, MAX, Starz/Encore, Showtime/TMC). It's only advertised however as being included in Ultimate and higher or Showtime Unlimited package.

Quiet updates completed over the past few months (restoring TWC to DirecTV and a few minor channel additions).

The file has been updated for SEC-ESPN and other recent channel additions. Since SEC-ESPN and Longhorn are available nationwide in DISH's AT120+ package (not just in-market) they have been added to the base package channel page (similar to Big Ten Network, which DirecTV offers nationwide in Choice). DirecTV also offers SEC-ESPN nationwide in Choice.

DirecTV offers Sundance in Ultimate base package and higher, and also (albeit unadvertised) they authorize it for you with any premium channel subscription (HBO, MAX, Starz/Encore, Showtime/TMC). It's only advertised however as being included in Ultimate and higher or Showtime Unlimited package.

Unless I am somehow tuning in an SD channel by accident, Sundance is in SD only on DIRECTV®.

Unless I am somehow tuning in an SD channel by accident, Sundance is in SD only on DIRECTV®.

I never mentioned anything in my post about it being available in HD on D*, I was only stating the fact that it is authorized with any premium movie channel package you subscribe to (in other words you don't only have to subscribe to Showtime/TMC or Ultimate and higher base package to receive it.) It's not advertised as so and I was just pointing it out.

The chart in the first post does not show it as available in HD for D* either which is correct...

I don't mean to go off topic but I know avsforum is biased toward certain providers. They are stating on their channel lineup comparison chart that Charter has 225 hd channels. That's way more channels than any other provider in the country for hd. Is this true? I never thought Charter would be the leader at any point.